June 20, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate accused of orchestrating a massive telecommunications fraud valued at ₦7.7 billion, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of cash, residential properties, hundreds of laptops, mobile phones and other equipment used in the operation.
The breakthrough was announced on Friday by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, which said the operation followed months of investigation into allegations of computer-related fraud, unauthorised access to computer systems and theft of telecom services involving one of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications providers.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Liaison Officer of the Cybercrime Centre, DSP Unwana Imah, the investigation was launched after the telecommunications company reported a compromise of internal staff login credentials, which enabled fraudsters to gain illegal access to the company’s network billing infrastructure.
Preliminary investigations revealed that between October 1 and November 28, 2024, members of the syndicate unlawfully infiltrated the telecom company’s systems and fraudulently generated airtime, which they subsequently converted into data bundles for illegal distribution and sale through a network of vendors operating across the country.
Police said the initial phase of the operation led to the arrest of several suspects, while operatives recovered more than 400 laptops, over 1,000 mobile phones, Point of Sale (POS) machines, cash exhibits, and other evidentiary materials believed to have been used to execute the fraud scheme.
Investigators further disclosed that the affected telecommunications provider was able to reverse approximately 2,931.79 terabytes of fraudulently acquired data, estimated at ₦3.8 billion, significantly reducing the financial impact of the criminal activity.
The investigation later uncovered a broader criminal network involving both insiders within the telecommunications ecosystem and external collaborators who allegedly worked together to compromise the company’s digital infrastructure and facilitate the large-scale fraud.
In the second phase of the crackdown conducted in May 2026, operatives of the Cybercrime Centre, acting on intelligence, carried out coordinated operations across Kano, Katsina and Zamfara States, resulting in the arrest of key suspects: Musa Muhammed Kwandi, Nura Sadauki and Aminu Muhammed.
Other suspects arrested in connection with the fraud include Musa Hassan Mohammed, described by investigators as an IT specialist, along with Samson Alisigwe and Yusuf Shehu, all of whom are believed to have benefited directly from proceeds generated from the illegal activities.
Police said sustained financial investigation and asset tracing also led to the recovery of nearly ₦90 million in cash, as well as two residential houses located in Kano State, a mini-plaza and a Toyota RAV4 vehicle, all suspected to be proceeds of the crime.
Authorities disclosed that investigations are continuing with efforts focused on identifying additional members of the syndicate, tracing more assets connected to the fraud and ensuring that all those found culpable are prosecuted.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, reiterated the commitment of the police to safeguarding Nigeria’s critical digital infrastructure and intensifying efforts against cybercrime networks threatening the country’s growing digital economy.
The police also called on members of the public with useful information that could assist ongoing investigations to report through the NPF-NCCC official cybercrime reporting platform, nccc.npf.gov.ng or through its verified social media channels.
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